Mildred Louise Croley

May 30, 2018

Mrs. Mildred Louise Croley, age 89, passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2018 in Century, Florida.

Mrs. Croley was a native and life long resident of Century, FL. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Raymond Floyd Croley; one son, Ricky Croley; one daughter, Dorothy Sims and her parents, Bart and Carrie Hobbs.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Croley (Terry) Bush of Flomaton, AL; eleven grandchildren, Greg Sims, Tina Therrell, Josh Sims, Wes Sims, Chris Croley, Bryan Croley, Amy Croley, Stephanie Gilmore, Mindy Adkinson, Tad Bush and Daniel Lischbrook; thirty-two great grandchildren and many great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Rev. Fred Stallworth officiating.

Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 6:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tad Bush, Greg Sims, Josh Sims, Wes Sims, Chris Croley and Bryan Croley.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeremy Sims, Dak Sims, Will Eubanks, John Eubanks, Lane Sims, Nathan Therrell and Caleb Therrell.

Motorcyclist Killed In I-110 Crash

May 29, 2018

A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday on I-110 in Escambia County.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 29-year old Michael Del Viscovo, Jr. was traveling north on I-110 on the curved exit ramp to Davis Highway when he ran off the roadway onto the paved shoulder. He was thrown from the motorcycle and into a guardrail fence. He was pronounced deceased following the 10:20 a.m. crash.

Student Arrested After Bomb Threat Made Against Jay High School

May 29, 2018

Jay High School and Jay Elementary School were evacuated Tuesday afternoon due to a a bomb threat against the high school, and a student has been arrested.

About 1 p.m., a Jay High School school resource officer was notified by school staff of a bomb threat, and additional deputies responded to the school.

“A text message was received by another student in which the sender advised of a bomb threat to the school. After a thorough investigation and within 30 minutes, a suspect was in custody,” said Sgt. Rich Aloy, public information officer for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

“The threat was unfounded and the individual who sent the text was discovered to be a student who was supposedly playing a joke,” Aloy said.

The juvenile suspect was arrested on charges of making a false bomb threat and disruption of a school function. The SRSO has not yet released the suspect’s name.

Final CRA Plan Ready To Improve ‘Blighted’ Area Of Century

May 29, 2018

Finals plans for a Century CRA — Community Redevelopment Agency — are complete.

Once the CRA is in place and operating, it will work to improve conditions within the area. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.

The CRA area is 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King. Click here for a detailed map (pdf).

The plan is tentatively  scheduled to be presented to the Century Town Council on June 18 with adoption vote for the plan ordinance tentatively planned for July 2.

Community Redevelopment Objectives

  • Enhance quality of life by partnering with public or private, profit or non-profit organizations to develop and implement facilities, programs and services that are based on and support inclusivity, tolerance, and safety in the Century CRA.
  • Promote self-sufficiency and resiliency through partnerships with stakeholders that facilitate instructional opportunities for residents and business owners/entrepreneurs in the Century CRA.
  • Initiate economic development opportunities that are customized to the distinctive attributes and possibilities unique to the Century CRA.
  • Capitalize on the Century CRA’s historic and natural resources to support the area’s unique identity as well as promote a greater sense of neighborhood pride.

Strategies for CRA

  • Invest in public facilities and infrastructure
    • Sewer, stormwater management
    • Transportation;
    • Streetscape and pedestrian features; and
    • Public and community areas.
  • Expand economic development opportunities
    • Improve housing conditions with repair and affordable home ownership opportunities;
    • Highlight historic and natural amenities; and
    • Identify targeted development sites.

Short Term Implementation Plan

  • 2-Year Action Plan (2018-2020)
    • Activities and tasks that are smaller, incremental and set the foundation for encouraging long-term private investment in the CRA
    • Funding Resources: primarily Town, County,  regional agencies, and non-profit organizations

Long-Term Implementation Plan

  • •10-year Action Plan (2018-2028)
    • Builds upon activities and tasks from the short-term action plan and begins to implement the more costly capital improvements and services that require utilization of revenues to leverage TIF funds
    • Funding Resources: primarily regional and state agencies, and large grant organizations

NorthEscambia.com file photo.


Flood Warning Canceled For Escambia River Near Century

May 29, 2018

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The National Weather Service has canceled a flood warning for the Escambia River near Century. Flooding is no longer anticipated.

FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts: Highway 29 And Other Delays

May 29, 2018

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.  

Escambia County:

  • State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – Intermittent eastbound lane closure near Davis Highway from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews install guardrail.
  • U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Saturday, June 2 as follows:
    • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
    • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
  • U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews pave the roadway.

·         I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Friday, June 1:

    • Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
    • The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
    • Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).

·         U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews perform construction activities.

·         U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Construction activities are underway.  Lane restrictions may take place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31.

·         U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.

Santa Rosa County:

  • U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews perform construction activities.
  • U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Joybrook Road in Navarre- Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews pave turn and travel lanes at the intersection.
  • S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  the week of Tuesday, May 29 on S.R. 87 north and southbound between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River.  Crews will be paving in the area. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
  • I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through June 1 as crews work to widen the roadway.  In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, will also be encountered as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
  • U.S. 98 at Sunrise Drive Lane Closure- East and westbound traffic on U.S. 98 at Sunrise Drive will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 31 as crews install crosswalk pavement markings.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway..

Pictured: A look at the Pensacola Bay Bridge construction as seen on Sunday. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Woman Charged With DUI In Highway 97 Crash

May 29, 2018

A woman has been arrested in connection with an early morning crash Monday on Highway 97.

Connie Mae Henderson, 63, was charged with DUI with property damage. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

About 1:10 a.m., Henderson was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road when she ran off the roadway, struck a power pole and continued through a ditch. She refused medical transport after the crash.

The pole was broken off near ground level, downing power lines. Escambia River Electric reported 52 customers lost power following the crash.

The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded, along with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Pictured top and bottom: NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

May 29, 2018

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:

Tuesday, May 29

Extension Council – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment

FDOT State Road 30 (U.S. 98/Navy Boulevard) Public Hearing - 5:30 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St.

Wednesday, May 30

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place,

Tropical Town Hall – 6:30 p.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Showers And Thunderstorms In Our Forecast

May 29, 2018

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.

Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Risings Gas Prices Expected To Reverse Course

May 29, 2018

Motorist in Florida should soon catch a break from rising gas prices, according to AAA.

Gas prices in Florida increased eight cents during the past week. The state average on Memorial Day was $2.91 – the most expensive for the holiday since 2014, when the average price was $3.62.

The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.89 on Monday.

“This news couldn’t come at a better time, as motorists roll into the summer driving season,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA. “The drop in crude should amount to a discount of at least 10 cents at the pump, in the short term. Yet that will not happen overnight. Retailers are usually slow to lower prices, especially those who bought shipments of gasoline when prices were at a premium.”

Florida motorists are paying 60 cents more per gallon than a year ago. It now costs $44 to fill an average size tank of gasoline – an increase of nearly $10 from this time last year.

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